[Thoracolaparoscopic simultaneous operations on esophagus]

Extirpation or subtotal resection of esophagus was performed in 14 patients by using of thoracolaparoscopic technique in terms from November 2011 to March 2014. The mean patients' age was 56 years old (27-67 years). In 10 patients indications for surgery included benign esophagus diseases such as cardiospasm stage IV (2 cases), peptic stricture (5 cases) and burn stricture (3 cases). 4 patients were operated for esophagus cancer including middle one-third cancer in 1 patient, lower one-third cancer in 3 cases. 10 patients underwent extirpation of esophagus with peristaltic gastric tube plasty. 1 patient had esophagus substituted by segment of the left colon. Esophageal anastomoses were formed on the neck (interrupted sutures were applied in 7 patients; staplers - in 3 cases). Lewis operation with intrapleural esophageal-gastric anastomosis forming was performed in 3 patients. The mean surgery duration was 579 minutes (305-710 min), mean blood loss - 141 ml (from 50 to 300 ml). Postoperative period had not complications in 8 of 14 patients. Different complications including partial failure of the anastomosis on the neck (5 cases), intrapleural anastomosis failure (1 case) were observed in 6 patients. Partial failure of the anastomosis on the neck was treated by using of therapy. All patients recovered. Patient with intrapleural anastomosis failure required additional surgery which included uncoupling of anastomosis, esophagostomy on the neck and gastrostomy forming. This patient died from recurrent myocardial infarction. Thus the authors consider that complete thoracolaparoscopic technique provides precise preparation of esophagus and stomach, adequate lymphadenectomy with minimal blood loss and operative trauma. The results after these operations are comparable with those after open interventions. Thoracolaparoscopic simultaneous operations must be applied in clinics having sufficient experience in esophagus surgery and thoracolaparoscopic technique.